PRAYING SHAPES BELIEVING
A Meditation for You
Love, Patience, Kindness
 
We have been examining civil discourse, with readings excerpted from the web page of the Office of Government Relations of The Episcopal Church.
 
Episcopal Leaders from across the country have shared their thoughts on civil discourse based on the following prompt: What are your values as an Episcopalian as they relate to issues of public policy? How are you living into your values when considering civil discourse and civic engagement?
The Rev. Elizabeth Bonforte Gardner, of Christ Church-Georgetown responded with
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful (RSV). “The Episcopal Church is where the gospel is read with love and where that love is demonstrated each and every day—inside and outside of the sanctuary. The Episcopal Church is where we understand that forgiveness of our sins does not mean forgetting what comes next—restitution, reconciliation, and renewal. But the only way we can do that is by offering a safe and sacred place where engaging in conversation leads to deeper understanding.
 
Civil discourse is essential to a well-informed church and nation. My prayer is [that] our beloved church can be a beacon for others as we live our lives with love in our hearts, love in our words, and love in our hands. We must trust that God is bigger than us. We must believe that everyone is a beloved child of God. We must live knowing Jesus is Lord.”
 
Let Us Pray
O God our Father, whose Son forgave his enemies while he was suffering shame and death: Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience; when they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair; and to your servants, give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our merciful and righteous Judge. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, p. 823)

Previous Take-aways
“Be on God’s side; … trust in the Lord with all [your] heart and … strive to be more like him every day.” –The Rt. Rev. Carl Walter Wright, Bishop for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries
 
“…Those with whom we disagree are also bearers of Christ with whom we are called to reconcile.” –Sarah Lawton, a member of St. John the Evangelist in San Francisco
 
“Our tradition of the via media—the middle way of Anglicanism—offers this country a desperately needed model of what public discourse might become.” --The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee Bishop of Chicago
 
Learn more and read the unedited responses here.
Join Us This Weekend
Celebration of Life for Sarah Sanders

Gather with us on Saturday, November 7th, at 1pm outdoors here at Saint James The Less to celebrate the beautiful life of Sarah Niblock Sanders. We will have chairs set up for social distancing. Please observe all social distancing rules, including wearing a mask (required), as we honor this wonderful saint that is part of the Great Cloud of Witnesses now. There will be a reception at the Sanders home following the service. Details, including the address, will be given at the service.

For those unable to join us this Saturday, we are hoping to stream the service live here on our Facebook page.

  • The link to view the service is here.
  • The link for the bulletin is here.
  • If you would like to read her obituary, click here.

What a beloved woman of faith! We look forward to celebrating her life in community. Please join us the way you feel comfortable.
Caravan of Love

Please join us this Sunday at 1pm, if you are able, for a Caravan of Love. We will be creating a car parade to drive past, wave, and spread some love to three of our seniors who are shut in. We will gather in the church parking lot and make a parade to go past their houses. Make your signs. Decorate your car. Get your biggest smiles to spread love to these wonderful folks.
Compline

Please join us, if you are able, this Sunday at 4:30pm out at the picnic tables for Compline. We will be serving hot cider as we close our day in prayer together. Bring your blanket, your mask and your chair. We look forward to this time together. If you aren't able to join in person, click the link in the schedule below to join us in spirit.
Staying Connected
Friday, November 6, 2020
  • 12pm- Noonday prayers (online)

Sunday, November 8, 2020
  • 9am- Children's Sunday School (online)
  • Link to join
  • 10am- Morning Prayer Worship (online)
  • Link to watch service
  • Link for bulletin
  • 1pm- Caravan of Love
  • 4:30pm- Compline (outdoor in-person & online)
  • Link to watch service
  • Link for bulletin

Monday, November 9, 2020
  • 10:30am- Grief Group (Memorial Garden)
  • 12pm- Noonday prayers (online)

Join us daily for Noonday Prayer online here. You can follow along with the service on page 103 of the Book of Common Prayer or visit BCPonline.org (Click on "Daily Office" and then "An Order of Service at Noonday")

If you can't join us live-time, no worries. All of these services can be viewed at your convenience afterward on Facebook. All our Sunday morning and Contemplative services will be posted on our YouTube Channel, "St. James the Less Ashland VA." You can access that here.
Helpful Links
St. James the Less
125 Beverly Rd. | Ashland VA 23005 | (804) 798.6336